Making A Mid-Life Career Change?

Midlife is a lot like being a teenager again–only with more wisdom. Making a career change is a lot different than meeting with your career counsellor and scouring the various college catalogs.  You may not stay out all night and run with a wild crowd, but many in their 40s and 50s experience the same restlessness and yearning for change. They’re still asking questions about what they want to be when they grow up, but the questions are deeper, more profound, more purpose driven. This time around, they won’t settle for less than what makes them truly happy. At this time of year as the “empty-nest” begins these questions are surfacing but now more loudly. Know that when the questions comes,  a career change mid-life is possible, because this time you have a lot more wisdom and you know what you want. Yet, are you still wondering is it realistic?

We all have to pay the bills, support a family, save for retirement and we may want to go on a vacation some time. But, for many, as the children go off to college and the “busy-ness” of life seems to slow down, many are seeking work that’s meaningful, profitable and makes a difference. “Now what?” resonates deeply because the future is here. Billy is leaving for college in a month. And all the things you’ve put off are staring back at you and asking “if not now, when?” What better time to act on those unfulfilled dreams? Work is one of the most profound ways we live our true selves, and now is the time to start doing that. In fact, every person living out his or her dreams gives a gift to the world–a gift because it inspires others to do the same.

Craving FREEDOM?

Are you worried making a change to follow a dream would be selfish? It can seem as if there’s a chasm between the knowing and the doing. We know something’s not right with our career path, but we tell ourselves to live with it. In fact, for some even questioning the meaning of their work gives them feelings of guilt. In an economy where many are taking 6 to 9 months or even longer to find a new job, it may appear to be ungrateful to want more. But consider the cost of inaction? The lack of motivation, the added stress, missed opportunities and the knot in your stomach that’s getting tighter.

Are you feeling overwhelmed at the enormity of  changing careers after being 20 or 30 years in the same field? Even if we set goals, there may be feelings of overwhelm as you try to manage daily life with trying something new. “We often hesitate to follow our hearts, to grow, because of perceived barriers,” writes Carole Kanchier in Dare to Change Your Job–and Your Life.  Her book is one of many resources that help break down those barriers, the two biggest of which are fear and confusion.

Are you asking: “Why can’t I make the leap?”

Fear. Do you think: I’m too old to change? If I switch jobs now, I’ll have to start over at the bottom. What if I fail, then what? Fear is normal, and it’s important to acknowledge it. There are numerous tactics to help you through the fear. The most powerful may be looking to others who’ve gone through life/career changes. With targeted information comes clarity. With clarity comes confidence. With confidence comes action toward fulfilling your goals. In this economy, I’m often talking to folks who are starting over in their careers due to downsizing, restructuring, technology or belly-up businesses.

Confusion. Many of us are clearer about what we don’t want than what we actually do want. The key is to focus on what you do want. What you FOCUS on grows and becomes permanent in your life. If you have lived out others’ expectations of you for so long and you’re not sure what actually makes you happy then begin with discovering what your passionate about and then build your new life on your unique ability. Not sure what your unique ability is? Then be sure to contact me for my Profit, Passion and Purpose program designed to help you focus the vision of your ideal life based on your talents, gifts and abilities. Imagine in 6 weeks you’ll discover what makes you unique and what you can do to create the life you deserve. Maybe you’re not certain how to turn your many talents and skills into meaningful work? No problem, you don’t need to know the HOW, just focus on what you want and the resources, tools and strategies you need to accomplish the HOW will appear. Will you be ready to take the opportunity when it appears?

The sage advice of our age is always the same whether you are starting up or starting over:  Keep your options open.  Harvey Mackay provides this most important tip “Never be afraid to ask for help.  There are plenty of people who have created successful businesses, and even more who have built successful careers.  Learning from others is essential, no matter how much you have learned from your own experience.” Coaches are an excellent resource to help you ask the right questions to sharpen your focus and goals. They can guide you to imagine and create real work that isn’t just a job, but a whole new life.

Whether it’s a new career or small shifts in how you work, making a change in midlife can bring new energy and joy for life. Like being a teenager again–only better.

Would you like to create a life you love doing work you love? If you enjoyed this article and would like to claim your FREE e-book with 5 TIPS to help you find, create and profit from work you love, click on the link to gain access and you’ll also receive my newsletter, filled with helpful tips to help you master the career transition journey and first dibs on all classes and teleseminars.

This post was written by Charlene Nora, your Career Change Mentor and Profit From Your Passions Coach on 06/12/2011.